exposure risks and worried, advice very much appreciated.

[scg1985]

Hi all I'm just after a bit of advice. I recently visited a sauna and whilst I was there a few things happened that have concerned me. I never had any anal or oral sex at all. I was in the video lounge and I stepped in semen as it was slippery and sticky. I have a small area on my foot that has sensitive soft pink skin caused by hyperhydrosis. If infected can the HIV infected semen can be absorbed through this sensitive soft skin into my body? Also I used a sachet of lube from a basket to masturbate myself. I squeezed it and checked for damage and it seemed fine with no leaks but once used it did start to sting and had to wash it off, can lube be contaminated with HIV? The next thing was a guy came and sat next to me and rubbed the top of my penis with his thumb. I'm worried he may have had some sort of infected fluid on his thumb which could place HIV on my urethra as he rubbed it several times. I intend to get tested as i have had what i think are sore lymph nodes. I get sublte pains around my neck and groin and im very worried iv contracted HIV. I can feel my nodes, around 1 cm in size and bean shaped. Is this normal? The thing that's really worrying me is that it has been 3 weeks and last night I had a night sweat. I am very anxious after that. Thanks

[BT65]

Scg, you had no risk.  HIV is a very fragile virus and as soon as it hits the air it starts dying.  So your stepping in semen isn't a risk.  Also, you would have to have an open gaping wound on your foot and the infected person would have to directly insert infectious semen or blood into it in order for a minute possibility of infection.

Also, frottage, or someone else rubbing you, is not a risk. If the person rubbing your penis head was infectious, they would have to have an open gaping wound and you would have to have a direct opening to your body in order for a possibility of infection.  And lube is not infectious.  So, you had no risk.  We don't discuss symptoms so if you are still feeling ill I would encourage you to talk to your doctor.  Stress and unnecessary worry can also cause strange things to happen to the body that are misunderstood for other things.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together.

To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI.Sex without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

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Betty

[scg1985]

Thank you Betty for your quick and thorough reply it has helped and I feel a bit better now. The only last thing that was on my mind but I was unsure to mention it was, on leaving the sauna I discovered that I have a small ring shaped bruise on my upper arm, I was worried I may have been stuck with something such as a needle without knowing. Seems irrational but it was an odd bruise.

[BT65]

You are correct, that is irrational.  HIV cannot be caused by bruising someone and if there was a needle stick you would have felt it and noticed some blood.  If you do test I fully expect you to test negative.

Betty

[scg1985]

Thank you I appreciate your time and knowledge.